The Heart of Ice

Chapter 5

Killian

The sun shines directly on my Lilac's, specs of frozen periwinkle reflecting onto my castle walls. My garden has always been something like a comfort place to me, calming my trembling heart when I needed it, making my hands feel less bloodstained, though when I look at them, they're utterly white. Frost white.

The flowers that grow here are almost like a symbol to every life I've killed, too. White roses are for the men I've killed, who though may have commited a mediocre crime, didn't deserve the brutal death I gave them. The Daffodils are for the women, women who could've lived to see another day if that damned god hadn't got into my head. And lastly, the corpse flower. Callum was the one who suggested I plant them after one of the prisoner's child died on the outside. The kid, Jack Davis, had come down with an unknown sickness, therefore there was nothing medical could do for him. Apparently, the kid had been asking to see his dad weeks prior to his death, and I even let the man go and see him. But once the man tried escaping from my guards, I had to revoke the privilege, causing the kid to die alone, cold.

Though the garden does hold a dark meaning over it, I still somehow find light within its dismay; a weird, golden light, one I wouldn't give up for anything.

Soft footsteps sound from behind me, and I whip around to see Davina Huxley, as Callum told me her name was, standing in the doorway of my garden. It seems that she's still dressed in her nightgown, sleepiness plastered on her face. When she spots me, I notice the way her body seems to still, not like she's afraid but surprised. How rare it is to come upon someone who isn't afraid of me. She couldn't possibly be—not after the way she spoke to me yesterday when I suggested we build her a castle across the Kingdom.

I guess that was a bit far—but you could say I was doing it for her own protection. Callum told me that she's originally from The Kingdom of Flowers, so it's almost impossible for her to have been chosen to become The Ice Queen. All I know is that I don't want to hurt her, anyone. If pushing her away, adding one more person to the list of 'people who hate me' is what it takes, then I think I can manage.

"I didn't mean to bother you," her voice echoes throughout the corridor, soft and warm. "I was looking around and got lost."

She fidgets with the side of her gown, twirling her finger around its silky edges. Her dark hair is also lazily sat on her shoulders, flowing all the way down to her backside. And even through all of that, her emerald green eyes is really what captures me, holding me hostage within her gaze. They shine so brightly, even from all the way by the door. They remind me of grass in the summer, comfortable under the soles of my shoes, a gentle tickle as each strand flows with the breeze. It's like creating a memory, one you know you're going to reminisce over and over again.

"Is this your garden?" She asks, scanning over my flowers. "They're really beautiful. Especially the Lilac's; it's my favorite flower, you know."

I hate her, I tell myself. If I don't I might get ideas that'll only lead to destruction, downfall. I should hate her anyway, after the way she spoke to me yesterday. No one has ever had the courage to do that before, but here she is, coming in here like she owns the place. It's—devious.

"What the hell do you want?" I snap with as much harshness as I can. Maybe if I'm rude she'll leave? It's worked on many people before, my magic trick.

"You know, you have the worst attitude I've ever known a person to have," she retorts, inviting herself into my garden. She delicately runs her hands along the tips of my flowers, smiling as she does so. "Don't tell me you're still upset about yesterday? It's old news, really."

"If there isn't anything I can help you with, I'd love it if you could see your way out," I say. She doesn't really listen though. Instead, she proceeds to ignore my requests, and I can feel the unwanted anger boiling inside me, the cold darkness. "I'll leave after you tell me what your favorite flower is," She starts. "While you're at it, tell me your favorite color and animal, too."